Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Difelikefalin
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol and Difelikefalin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs are kappa-opioid receptor agonists that can cause somnolence, dizziness and sedation. Used together, CNS depression may be additive, and butorphanol's mixed opioid activity could also interfere with difelikefalin's effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol and Difelikefalin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal; Difelikefalin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects through kappa-opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Avoid the combination where practical and use the lowest effective butorphanol dose if both are needed. Monitor for excess sedation and respiratory depression.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Amobarbital + Butorphanol Major
Other interactions of Difelikefalin
- Acetazolamide + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Alprazolam + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amantadine + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amobarbital + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Asenapine + Difelikefalin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butorphanol with Difelikefalin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol and Difelikefalin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs are kappa-opioid receptor agonists that can cause somnolence, dizziness and sedation. Used together, CNS depression may be additive, and butorphanol's mixed opioid activity could also interfere with difelikefalin's effect.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol and Difelikefalin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where practical and use the lowest effective butorphanol dose if both are needed. Monitor for excess sedation and respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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